A dissertation which includes sample guidelines for rituals to be used at the bedside and at memorial services.

Development of New Hymns and songs

Paediatric Chaplains have discovered that there was a limited selection of hymns and songs that were appropriate for infant and child funerals. Chaplains in the network have written their own to ensure families are comforted pastorally with appropriate and sensitive lyrics. Others have been adapted from exisiting hymns. We would appreciate if you would acknowledge the author’s name.

A copy of the booklet “New Resources for Children’s Funerals and Memorials” by Rev Nick Ball is available from Red Balloon Resources, rbr@bch.nhs.uk and costs £5.00 + 50p postage.

The best known, ‘Fleetingly known, yet ever remembered’ is likely to be more appropriate for younger children or babies. Often ‘bright hymns’ such as ‘Morning has broken’ and ‘All things bright and beautiful’ are chosen by families, or traditional children’s songs such as ‘Jesus wants me for a sunbeam’ and ‘When a knight won his spurs’. Sometimes an existing hymn or song might have additional verses written when words specific to the occasion are added to words that are already familiar. John Bell has written two hymns specifically for such occasions and members of the Paediatric Chaplaincy Network have written a series of new hymns. These hymns seek to address directly some of the difficult thoughts and feelings around the loss of a child, however short or long their lives may have been. More titles will soon be added to the present list.